Siphon tube for use with a toilet tank and bowl for maintaining a steady trickle flow of water through a supplying and unheated service line associated with the tank and bowl and method for installing the same

ABSTRACT

A siphon tube for maintaining a trickle flow of fluid through a toilet tank reservoir and a toilet bowl. A water supply line is in fluid communication with the tank by virtue of a ball cock valve, the tank reservoir fluidly interconnects with the bowl by an overflow tube. The siphon tube includes an elongated and interiorly hollowed body having first and second fluidly interconnecting and parallel extending lengths, the first length being shorter than the second length. An upper interconnecting end is established between the fluid lengths and further includes a plurality of winding coils. Upon prefilling the siphon tube with a volume of fluid, the second extending length is inserted into the overflow tube, causing a trickle flow of fluid to be drawn from the tank reservoir, by vacuum pressure, into the first length, across the winding coils, and out the second length into the bowl, the ball cock valve occasionally activating to draw fluid from the supply line into the tank reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to freeze prevention techniquesfor preventing the freezing of water lines and water reservoirs, andsuch as in particular during wintertime conditions. More particularly,the present invention teaches a one-piece and preformed siphon unit,designed to removably fit within an overflow tube associated with atoilet tank, and which provides for a steady trickle flow of water fromthe tank, through the tube and into the toilet bowl. The purpose of theinvention is to maintain a steady flow of fluid through an exterior andunheated water service line, by virtue of the ball cock valve located inthe base of the toilet tank, and in order to prevent freezing of thewater supply line.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art is well documented with examples of devices utilized toassist in preventing freezing of pipes and such as in particular coldwater supply lines. One known example of such a device is the provisionof heat tape, such including an electrical resistor, running the lengthof the tape, and a plug for engaging within an electrical socket.Shortcomings associated with heat tape include the incidence of theresistor element associated with the tape burning out, or theinadvertent unplugging of the connector from the wall outlet.

Additional examples from the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,991,issued to King, and which teaches a siphon freeze drain for anunderground water sprinkling system including a line operating underwater pressure. A drain valve is in the form of a “U” shaped tube, oneend of which is passed through a hole in the top of the line, the otherend of which is outside the line at a lower level than the first end. Aclamp and seal holds the tube in the line against the force of the waterin the line and prevents leaking around the tube. A check valve is inthe end of the tube outside the line, the check valve selectively openedand closed to control flow through the tube and for establishing asiphon for draining the line.

Mellard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,452, teaches a self-actuating variable ratewater pipe bleeder including a small holding tank and a sample tube,both of which are filled with water and exposed to the ambientatmospheric pressure. The water in the sample tube freezes first whenthe ambient temperature is at freezing, and which in turn causes apiston and push rod arrangement in the sample tube to move against asmall cover plate located in the holding tank, moving it away from thedrain connection. When the cover plate is so moved, water from the watersupply pipe will flow at a relatively slow by steady rate through thedrain connection to the environment, maintaining a flow of water throughthe supply pipe and thus preventing the water in the water supply pipeupstream of the pipe from freezing.

An exterior thaw tube is attached to the drain connection in the holdingtank and, when the ambient temperature increases to a few degrees abovefreezing, the ice in the thaw tube will thaw, resulting in a spray ofwater from the end of the thaw tube and which is directed into aninterior thaw tube which is inside the sample tube, thawing the ice inthe sample tube. The thawing of the ice in the sample tube results inthe piston and the push rod retracting and the cover plate moving backinto place, closing off the drain opening.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,966, issued to Anderson, teaches awaterline freeze protection system consisting of first and second branchpipes extending from a water service pipe, a water holding tank, and ametering orifice located between the first branch pipe and the holdingtank. A pump and check valve are provided between the holding tank andthe second branch pipe, the check valve permitting flow of water only inthe direction from the pump to the second branch pipe, a float andswitch secured to the holding tank activates the pump at an upper waterlevel and deactivates the pump at a lower water level. An overflow pipeextending from the holding tank passes water from the holding tank intoa drain when the pump is non-operational.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a one-piece and preformed siphon unit, designedto removably fit within an overflow tube associated with a toilet tank,and which provides for a steady trickle flow of water from the tank,through the tube and into the toilet bowl. As described previously, thepurpose of the invention is to maintain a steady flow of fluid throughan exterior and unheated water service line, by virtue of the ball cockvalve located in the base of the toilet tank, and in order to preventfreezing of the water supply line. A secondary advantage provided by thepresent invention is in maintaining an agitated and trickle flow withinthe toilet tank and bowl and in order to prevent, in extreme cases,freezing of the same during periods of non-heating of the interiorstructure within which it is located.

The siphon tube is typically constructed of a durable plasticized orother suitable material and includes an elongated and interiorlyhollowed body having first and second fluidly interconnecting andparallel extending lengths. In order to achieve the desired vacuumeffect when submerged in the tank, the first length is a specifiedlength shorter than the second length, and it is also desirable thateither or both of the first and second ends are angled and in order toprevent the interruption of the vacuum flow, and such as which occursduring seating against the bottom surface of the reservoir tank.

An upper interconnecting end established between the fluid lengthsfurther includes a plurality of winding coils. In particular, an upperend of the coils interconnects with the shorter first length of thesiphon tube, a lower spiraling end communicates with longer secondlength. Upon prefilling the siphon tube with a volume of fluid, thefirst shorter end is temporarily sealed, such as by the installertemporarily holding his finger over the first end, and while theextending second length is inserted into the overflow tube and the firstend submerged into the tank reservoir. At that point, a trickle flow offluid is drawn from the tank reservoir, by vacuum pressure, into thefirst length, across the winding coils, and out the second length intothe bowl, the ball cock valve occasionally activating to draw fluid fromthe supply line into the tank reservoir.

A method for installing a siphon tube as substantially described aboveis also disclosed and includes the basic steps of inverting the siphontube and so that first and second length ends are arrayed in a generallyupwardly extending direction, prefilling the siphon tube with a volumeof fluid and temporarily sealing the first length end. Additional stepsinclude inserting the second extending length into the overflow tubevacuum drawing a trickle flow of fluid the tank reservoir, into thefirst length, across the winding coils, and out the second length intothe bowl, the ball cock valve occasionally activating to draw fluid fromthe supply line into the tank reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read incombination with the following detailed description, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the siphon tube according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective environmental view illustrating the siphon tubein inserting fashion within the water discharge tube associated with thetoilet tank;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway environmental view, similar to that illustrated inFIG. 2, and further showing the siphon tube in installed fashion in thetoilet tank overflow tube and which fluidly interconnects the waterinlet feed, toilet tank reservoir and toilet bowl;

FIG. 4 illustrates in perspective the manner in which the siphon tube ischarged with a (dye colored) fluid and in order to initiate the vacuumtrickle flow from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl; and

FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective illustration, similar to thatpreviously shown in FIG. 2, and illustrating an alternate installationvariant of the siphon tube according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a siphon tube is illustrated at 10 accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As describedpreviously, the purpose of the siphon tube 10 is to maintain a steadyflow of fluid through an exterior and unheated water supply/service line12 (see FIG. 3) and in order to prevent freezing of standing waterlocated within an unheated/cold water supply line. A secondary advantageprovided by the present invention is in maintaining an agitated andtrickle flow within a toilet tank reservoir and bowl and in order toprevent, in extreme cases, freezing of the same during periods ofnon-heating of the interior structure within which it is located.

Prior to discussing the particulars of the siphon tube 10 according tothe present invention, a brief description of the conventional operatingcomponents of the toilet is provided and includes the provision of aball cock assembly, see inlet cylinder 14, ball cock 16, ball cock stem18, and inlet cylinder discharge line 20 all located within a toilettank interior, further generally illustrated at 22 as a fluid reservoirholding body. Additional features associated with the conventionaltoilet include an overflow tube 24 vertically extending within the tankreservoir 22, an overflow line 26 extending from the fluid inletcylinder 14 to the overflow tube 24. The overflow tube 24 furthercommunicates with a sink discharge of, typically leading to a toiletbowl 28 (see again FIG. 3).

Yet additional features of the existing toilet include an exteriorlyactuated handle 30, attached stem 32 and valve plug 34, interconnectedto the stem 32 via a chain 36. The conventional handle and plug assemblyfunctions, in combination with the ball cock assembly, to drain andrefill the tank reservoir in normal operation.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the siphon tube 10 is typicallyconstructed of a durable and plastic material and which includes anelongated and interiorly hollowed body having a first extending length38 and a second fluidly interconnecting and parallel extending length40. In order to achieve the desired vacuum effect when submerged in thetank reservoir, the first length 38 is a specified length shorter thanthe second length 40, see end 42 for length 38 and associated end 44 forlength 40. It is also desirable that either or both of the first andsecond associated length ends, such as is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 at44′ for second length 40, is angled and in order to prevent theinterruption of vacuum flow, resulting from seating/sealing of theassociated length end and against such as a bottom surface of the tankreservoir.

As is illustrated throughout the figures, an upper interconnecting endestablished between the fluid lengths further includes by at least apair of winding coils 46 and 48. In the preferred embodiment, the coils46 and 48 extending in a substantially perpendicular direction relativeto the parallel running lengths 38 and 40. An upper end 50 of the coils(illustrated as an entrance point for first upper coil 46) interconnectswith the shorter first length 38 of the siphon tube. A lower spiralingend 52 (of second downward coil 48) communicates with an entrance pointof the longer second length 40.

Upon prefilling the siphon tube 10 with a volume of fluid, a descriptionfor which is illustrated in reference to FIG. 4, and such as which isfurther illustrated through the use of a filler bottle 54 with a nozzle56 in FIG. 4. The first shorter end 42 is temporarily sealed, such as byan installer temporarily holding a finger 58 over the first end, and asis illustrated in FIG. 5. The extending second length is then insertedinto the conventional overflow tube 24 arrangement in the tankreservoir, at which time the first end is concurrently submerged intothe tank reservoir, and as is again shown in the cutaway illustration ofFIG. 3.

In operation, a trickle flow of fluid is drawn from the fluid filledtank reservoir 22, by vacuum pressure and as is indicated by directionalarrow 60 in FIG. 3, into the first length 38, across the winding coils46 and 48, and out the second length 40 into the bowl, again illustratedschematically at 28 in FIG. 3. In use, the trickle flow establishedthroughout the toilet causes the ball cock and valve components tooccasionally activate, thus drawing fluid from the supply line 12 intothe tank reservoir 22, this occasional flow preventing freezing of thecold water inlet line resulting from wintertime conditions.

Referring finally again to FIG. 5, an alternate mounting arrangement ofthe siphon tube 10 within the tank reservoir 22 is illustrated, ascompared to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In particular, the angularconfiguration of the siphon tube 10 is such that the first shorter end38, upon installation as referenced by arrow 62, extends in a rotatedcondition within the tank reservoir. As is further shown, theconfiguration of the inlet cylinder 64 with overflow line 66 leading tooverflow tube 24 may differ in regards to that shown in FIG. 2, howeverwithout otherwise affecting the operational characteristics of thesiphon tube 10.

A method for installing a siphon tube as substantially described aboveis also disclosed and includes the basic steps of inverting the siphontube and so that first and second length ends are arrayed in a generallyupwardly extending direction, prefilling the siphon tube with a volumeof fluid and temporarily sealing (such as again by applying theinstaller's finger) over the first length end. Additional steps includeinserting the second extending length into the overflow tube vacuumdrawing a trickle flow of fluid the tank reservoir, into the firstlength, across the winding coils, and out the second length into thebowl, the ball cock valve occasionally activating to draw fluid from thesupply line into the tank reservoir. Yet additional steps include theinjecting of the nozzle end 56 of the filler bottle 54 into a selectedone of the first and second length ends, and the step of applying a dyecolorant (such as which may be premixed into the charged fluid containedwithin the bottle 54), and in order to visually confirm the continualand trickle flow of fluid through the siphon tube 10, and into thetoilet bowl.

Having described my invention, other and additional embodiments willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, andwithout deviating from the scope of the appended claims:

1. A siphon tube for maintaining a trickle flow of fluid through a tankreservoir and bowl of a toilet, a water supply line being in fluidcommunication with the tank by virtue of a ball cock valve, the tankreservoir fluidly interconnecting with the bowl by an overflow tube,said siphon tube comprising: an elongated and interiorly hollowed bodyhaving first and second fluidly interconnecting and parallel extendinglengths, said first length being shorter than said second length; and anupper interconnecting end established between said fluid lengths furthercomprising a plurality of winding coils; upon prefilling said siphontube with a volume of fluid, said second extending length being insertedinto the overflow tube, causing a trickle flow of fluid to be drawn fromthe tank reservoir, by vacuum pressure, into said first length, acrosssaid winding coils, and out said second length into the bowl, the ballcock valve occasionally activating to draw fluid from the supply lineinto the tank reservoir.
 2. The siphon tube as described in claim 1,further comprising an upper end of said winding coils interconnectingwith said first length, a lower spiraling end of said coilscommunicating with said second length.
 3. The siphon tube as describedin claim 2, said coils extending at a substantially 90° angle relativeto an axial extending direction of said first and second lengths.
 4. Thesiphon tube as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one offirst and second extending ends associated with said first and secondlengths being angled.
 5. The siphon tube as described in claim 1, saidsiphon tube exhibiting a specified shape and size and being constructedof a plastic material.
 6. The siphon tube as described in claim 1, saidsiphon tube exhibiting a specified shape and size, and furthercomprising a squeeze bottle for prefilling said tube with a volume of adye colored fluid.
 7. A siphon tube for maintaining a trickle flow offluid through a tank reservoir and bowl of a toilet, a water supply linebeing in fluid communication with the tank by virtue of a ball cockvalve, the tank reservoir fluidly interconnecting with the bowl by anoverflow tube, said siphon tube comprising: an elongated and interiorlyhollowed body having first and second fluidly interconnecting andparallel extending lengths, said first length being shorter than saidsecond length, at least one of first and second ends associated withsaid first and second lengths being angled; and an upper interconnectingend established between said fluid lengths further comprising aplurality of winding coils, an upper end of said coils interconnectingwith said first length, a lower spiraling end communicating with saidsecond length; upon prefilling said siphon tube with a volume of fluid,said second extending length being inserted into the overflow tube,causing a trickle flow of fluid to be drawn from the tank reservoir, byvacuum pressure, into said first length, across said winding coils, andout said second length into the bowl, the ball cock valve occasionallyactivating to draw fluid from the supply line into the tank reservoir.8. A method for installing a siphon tube for maintaining a trickle flowof fluid through a tank reservoir and bowl of a toilet, a water supplyline being in fluid communication with the tank by virtue of a ball cockvalve, the tank reservoir fluidly interconnecting with the bowl by anoverflow tube, said method of installation comprising the steps of:providing an elongated and interiorly hollowed body having first andsecond fluidly interconnecting and parallel extending lengths and anupper interconnecting end comprising a plurality of downwardly windingcoils, said first length being shorter than said second length;inverting said siphon tube and so that first and second length ends arearrayed in a generally upwardly extending direction; prefilling saidsiphon tube with a volume of fluid; temporarily sealing said firstlength end; inserting said second extending length into the overflowtube; and vacuum drawing a trickle flow of fluid the tank reservoir,into said first length, across said winding coils, and out said secondlength into the bowl, the ball cock valve occasionally activating todraw fluid from the supply line into the tank reservoir.
 9. The methodas described in claim 8, further comprising the step of injecting anozzle end of filler bottle into a selected one of said first and secondlength ends.
 10. The method as described in claim 9, further comprisingthe step of applying a dye colorant to a volume of fluid containedwithin said filler bottle.
 11. The method as described in claim 9, saidstep of temporarily sealing said first length end of said prefilledsiphon tube further comprising the step of placing an installer's fingerover said first length end and removing the finger upon submerging saidfirst length within the tank reservoir.